Young people in Cornwall forced to live in vans due to housing crisis

A growing number of young people in Cornwall are being forced to live in vans because of the housing crisis and unaffordable rents, according to a report. The county, popular with tourists, has seen housing costs soar, making long-term rentals almost impossible to find at a reasonable price. Many low-paid workers only get work during the busy summer months, meaning paying rent year-round is extremely difficult.

YouTuber and Southwest native Joe Johnson spent time with these communities to understand why so many people are ending up in their vans and what life is really like on the road. He found that van life is becoming an increasingly popular and controversial way of life in the county. In laybys, industrial estates, and anywhere with free parking, people are living in campervans.

One van dweller, Tom, has been living in his van for over a decade. He said he ended up in a van due to "misfortunate circumstances" after having cancer as a younger person and being unable to pay a mortgage. He noted that he now sees more young people moving into vans with the aim of saving money for a house deposit or to buy land.

Cornwall's housing crisis is well-documented. The county has over 13,000 second homes, many of which lie empty for half the year. There are more than 21,000 people on the social housing waiting list. On Airbnb, thousands of properties are available to rent, while on Rightmove there are only a few hundred. A young woman who works full-time as a waitress in Truro and also goes to college described van life as "scary" but also "empowering". She said she is often 300 miles away from anyone she knows.

There is a misconception that van life is free living, but the reality involves numerous costs. One person described it as "really expensive homelessness". The community kitchen in St. Austell helps homeless people, providing meals and advice. A worker there noted that Cornwall is one of the worst places in England for wages, with an average of £12.50 an hour, while property costs are thousands of pounds. In winter, van dwellers face risks of hypothermia, pneumonia, and other viruses.

However, some local residents are unhappy with the impact of van dwellers. Peter, who owns several properties he rents out, said he feels obstructed by vans that are not paying council tax. He said the government has "seriously undermined the ability to be able to get homes".

There are two distinct groups within the van life community: those who have actively chosen the lifestyle and those who have been forced into it. The dangers are real. In one lay-by last month, police found a man and his dog dead inside his van. The cause of death is not yet known. Cornwall Council provides some overnight parking for vans but not enough for everyone, and says it supports anyone genuinely homeless. It also tickets and moves on vans that are illegally parked. Despite the difficulties, most people Johnson spoke to said van life is better than the alternative, preferring the beautiful countryside and happiness over a flat in Essex.